Patient Courage

Standing in the courtyard at RR Campus in Kathmandu, Roshan Mahato looks relaxed and proud. This, just 7 years ago was the spot where he was teased and harassed so badly by his peers that he transferred to another college. Today, the president of Nepal's LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex) Student Forum, Mahato is a familiar face on campuses around the country. The change, he says, took time and patience – with others and with himself.\n

At a public event about LGBTI rights held at Kathmandu’s World Trade Centre building, Sunil Babu Pant approached Mahato before a session on the experience of gay men in Nepal. "He asked if I wanted to participate, if I wanted to speak up," says Mahato. "I said yes but was terrified throughout my entire speech. The magic moment occurred when everyone clapped for me." (Read the full story.)